With the flood situation easing steadily, Karnataka government has now turned its focus on marshalling resources to take up relief and rehabilitation operations in the rain-ravaged northern and coastal regions.

Based on initial reports, the State has estimated that the loss caused by the floods to roads, bridges, culverts, houses, village and infrastructure and standing crops in 25 lakh hectares area amounted to Rs 16,500 crore.

Around 2.5 lakh houses have either collapsed or damaged by the torrential rains with as many as 1.8 crore people affected. The death toll as of Monday evening was 194.

There is let up in the rains in the past two days, giving some respite to the flood victims.

“Karnataka is reeling under unprecedented floods caused by heavy rains”, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who has camped in affected areas and been conducting aerial and overseeing rescue and relief works, said.

“This century’s most severe rain has wreaked havoc in 18 districts and has jeopardised the life of the people”, he said, adding “the rain has damaged property worth Rs 20,000 crore“.

The State has submitted a memorandum to Home Minister P Chidambaram, who on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas along with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, seeking Rs 16,500 crore for relief and rehabilitation works.